You Menglan’s cautious expression made Zhong Lin and Zhong Shi burst into laughter, their voices echoing throughout the grand hall.
You Menglan also smiled carefully, not daring to show any other expression.
Though she was a notable figure on New Moon Island, she knew that the Xuandan Realm was just the beginning for true experts, allowing her only to lord over Chuihai Island.
Zhong Lin waved his hand, saying, "No need to be nervous. You didn’t offend us back then. Those who did are already dead. We are here just reminiscing about old times."
The two did not linger further. After teasing the president of Green Moon Commerce, they set off again, taking their flying boat out to sea.
You Menglan watched their departing figures, her eyebrows furrowing: "Who are they really? Reminiscing... When did New Moon Island produce such strong warriors?"
After pondering for a moment, You Menglan took out a Jade Scroll and imprinted the images of the two, then sent someone to investigate.
A little less than an hour later, a guard returned quickly, handing over the information he had gathered.
"Hiss! It’s actually them," You Menglan’s pupils shrank as she exclaimed in surprise.
Information about Zhong Lin and Zhong Shi wasn’t hard to find. After all, the Spirit Miao Pavilion they established was once popular, and it’s easy to investigate with intent.
Of course, Spirit Miao Pavilion wasn’t the focus. It was Heaven Pavilion that shocked You Menglan.
Back then, Zhong Lin, in the Transcendent Realm, surpassed levels to kill Zhang Shaorong of the Xuandan Realm, and Long Zhao sacked the entire Heaven Pavilion. This event shook New Moon Island for years, and numerous people tried to discover Zhong Lin’s identity, only to see him reappear today.
"Over ten years ago, he was just in the Transcendent Realm, but now I can’t see through him at all. How did he cultivate?" You Menglan asked incredulously.
There were bursts of knocking from outside the door.
You Menglan put down the Jade Scroll, her face returning to the cold demeanor from before.
A girl in a long green dress hurried in, bowing and saying, "Pavilion Master."
"Pavilion Master, Young Master Gu has arrived."
You Menglan’s eyes instantly brightened. With a flick of her sleeve, she stood up abruptly, wanting to go out to meet him. But after considering for a moment, she sat back down, adopting a dignified demeanor.
The girl in green covered her mouth with a light laugh, giggling, "Pavilion Master, if you really can’t resist, you don’t need to act . You can go out to meet him. After all, everyone’s aware of your feelings on New Moon Island. Young Master Gu isn’t a stone, how could he not know?"
You Menglan’s face blushed slightly, laughing as she scolded, "You talk too much. Keep it up, and I’ll sew your mouth shut."
"Whose mouth does Menglan want to sew shut?"
A cheerful voice came from outside, and immediately, a man in a blue robe stepped inside.
The man’s face was like jade, eyes like bright stars, his chiseled features as handsome as if carved. A few strands of black hair swayed in the wind, adding to his carefree demeanor.
"Gu Chen, you’re here."
Golden Turtle Island.
The great sun rose in the east. On the "End of Heaven Platform" at the easternmost part of the island, thousands of disciples practiced the Sword Cauldron Sect’s swordsmanship under the guidance of a Spirit Sea Realm martial artist, the vast Sword Qi tearing through the clouds in the sky, resonating with the ebbing and flowing waves of the sea.
After an hour, the leading martial artist on the high platform sheathed his Spirit Sword, proudly saying, "The swordsmanship you have been practicing is the ’Taiyang Shining Sword Technique’ from the Earth Level Top Grade martial arts ’Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Scripture’ of our Sword Cauldron Sect. When practicing this technique, you can draw that strand of Innate Purple Qi from the dawn to temper your body and enhance your qualifications. You must practice diligently and not disappoint the sect’s expectations."
"Yes, Senior Brother Zhong."
The man nodded, stepping and flying away, landing in a courtyard in the back mountain shortly after.
In the courtyard, a dazzling woman was also practicing swordsmanship, each movement carrying an inexplicable rhythm, mesmerizing those around her.
Moments later, as the woman sheathed her sword, the man couldn’t help but clap.
"Senior Sister, your ’Taibai Emperor Sword Technique’ is becoming more adept. It seems it won’t be long before you master the entire ’Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Scripture’." The man couldn’t help but say.
Gu Yourong looked at Zhong Shi’s tall and heroic face, letting her thoughts wander, but quickly adjusted her mood.
"Still not as good as you, the master brother of the Inner Sect! I wonder when you can offer me some pointers," Gu Yourong teased.
Zhong Shi’s face reddened, replying, "Senior Sister, please don’t tease me. Your swordsmanship was personally taught by our second brother, how could I be qualified to guide you, it would be more fitting for Senior Brother Shi."
Mentioning Zhong Lin, both fell silent, the myriad of words left unsaid.
"Senior Sister, Second Brother will definitely return. With his talent, he’ll surely achieve something while outside, and will return."
Zhong Shi spoke with confidence, certain of Zhong Lin’s capabilities.
As a child, he only realized how exceptional his Second Brother was. As he matured and his Martial Arts Cultivation advanced, he realized the true extent of his Second Brother’s brilliance.
Just like the ’Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Scripture’ he practiced. After ten years, he merely achieved proficiency, while Senior Brother Shi revealed that Second Brother mastered the sword technique in just an hour.
When Zhong Shi discovered that, he almost spiraled into self-doubt, questioning why there was such a vast gap between blood brothers, lamenting heaven’s unfairness.
"Yes! I know he will return, with you here, me here, and Senior Brother Yin here, this is his root, he will surely return."
Gu Yourong spoke gently.
Suddenly, the void was obstructed by a green light, resembling a verdant sky curtain falling from above, enveloping the territory of Golden Turtle Island.
The sky trembled, all things withering.
On the tallest snowy mountain on the east side of Golden Turtle Island, endless snow turned into a white icy torrent, soaring to the sky, connecting with the green stream of light resembling a celestial curtain.
"Hahaha, what a fortune, to encounter the descendant of the Sin Blood Emperor here."
An endlessly cold voice boomed, shaking the boundless sky.
The terrifying aura caused the many disciples of Golden Turtle Island to feel immense pressure, as if a mountain weighed heavily on their hearts.
"I am Yu Jinglei, Sect Master of Sword Cauldron Sect. May I ask which senior descends upon us?"
Yu Jinglei, whose cultivation had reached the Perfection of Yunling Realm, stepped out of the hall, offering his respects to the white-haired old woman in the void, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
The white-haired old woman appeared ancient, yet her aura was vast and deep, just a slight leak made Yu Jinglei feel breathless, her true strength unimaginable.
The key was hearing the term "Sin Blood" from the old woman, which cast a shadow in his heart.